DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Merc Bribes Taliban to Stage Attack on Convoy

**Cydayshosse** · 10-06-2010, 07:08 PM

I don't imagine the libertarian party considers "private security services" here in the U.S. to be the same thing as mercenaries deployed in a foreign nation.

one more time:
" Any U.S. military policy should have the objective of providing security for the lives, liberty and property of the American people in the U.S. against the risk of attack by a foreign power."

Application of private security forces intended for domestic use would be excluded by this statement on how and why military force should be used outside the U.S.
It wouldn't include supporting foreign exploitation and investment for those acting and owning over seas.

But practice often run contrary to the theory. Because in real life situations there are problems we have to deal with, to survive means we cannot stay saints, and being a saint often means a saint posthumously.

I have an example for you. I don't have Jeremy Scahill's book next to me anymore (borrowed it to some friends) so I don't have the precise, realistic description of this actual event, however I construe a similar scenario that is not too far off the mark, and not entirely implausible (you judge). Suppose Vodafone installs a cell site (signal transmitter for cell phones) in a Shia neighborhood in suburban Bagdad, so it can extend its business into the area. Iraqi police is both incompetent and corrupt. US military could care less about something as low priorty as a cell site. Vodafone has two choices, bribe the neighborhood, its leaders and elders into not attacking the cell tower, or hire Blackwater to guard it. Usually, when the stakes are too high, they bribe, and the bribes are regular pay-out's, not a one time only deal. The number of people you must bribe is extensive, and their power relations are complex. If you missed somebody, it won't work.

But a cell tower is not a priority asset, so they hire Blackwater. Do you and the libertarians believe Vodafone should be allowed to do this? Is my question.

This is btw, fairly common practice over there. I am by no means exaggerating the situation.

10-06-2010, 07:08 PM	#33
Cydayshosse Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 457 Senior Member	I don't imagine the libertarian party considers "private security services" here in the U.S. to be the same thing as mercenaries deployed in a foreign nation. one more time: " Any U.S. military policy should have the objective of providing security for the lives, liberty and property of the American people in the U.S. against the risk of attack by a foreign power." Application of private security forces intended for domestic use would be excluded by this statement on how and why military force should be used outside the U.S. It wouldn't include supporting foreign exploitation and investment for those acting and owning over seas. But practice often run contrary to the theory. Because in real life situations there are problems we have to deal with, to survive means we cannot stay saints, and being a saint often means a saint posthumously. I have an example for you. I don't have Jeremy Scahill's book next to me anymore (borrowed it to some friends) so I don't have the precise, realistic description of this actual event, however I construe a similar scenario that is not too far off the mark, and not entirely implausible (you judge). Suppose Vodafone installs a cell site (signal transmitter for cell phones) in a Shia neighborhood in suburban Bagdad, so it can extend its business into the area. Iraqi police is both incompetent and corrupt. US military could care less about something as low priorty as a cell site. Vodafone has two choices, bribe the neighborhood, its leaders and elders into not attacking the cell tower, or hire Blackwater to guard it. Usually, when the stakes are too high, they bribe, and the bribes are regular pay-out's, not a one time only deal. The number of people you must bribe is extensive, and their power relations are complex. If you missed somebody, it won't work. But a cell tower is not a priority asset, so they hire Blackwater. Do you and the libertarians believe Vodafone should be allowed to do this? Is my question. This is btw, fairly common practice over there. I am by no means exaggerating the situation.
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